The Lithuanian government, which actively assisted the Belarusian opposition in overthrowing Alexander Lukashenko, blacklisted more than a hundred citizens of the neighboring republic, including its president.
This was told on Wednesday, August 26, by advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Rasa Jakilaytene.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to the Interior Ministry a revised list with the names of 118 people, including President Lukashenko”, – the official said.
The sanctions imply a ban on entry into Lithuania, as well as freezing of assets in the financial structures of the country, if any.
It is noteworthy that the European Union, according to available data, did not put Lukashenko on the black list. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrel stressed that non-recognition is not a reason to stop the dialogue. In this regard, the diplomat even drew parallels between Lukashenko and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro.
“Like it or not, they control the government and we must continue to deal with them, although we do not recognize their democratic legitimacy”, – Borrel said.